Biochemical and structural analysis of N-terminal acetyltransferases

N-terminal acetylation is a co- and post-translational modification catalyzed by the conserved N-terminal acetyltransferase (NAT) family of enzymes. A majority of the human proteome is modified by the human NATs (NatA-F and H), which are minimally composed of a catalytic subunit and as many as two auxiliary subunits. Together, NATs specifically regulate many cellular functions by influencing protein activities such as their degradation, membrane targeting, and protein-protein interactions. This chapter will describe methods developed for their preparation, and their biochemical and structural characterization. This will include methodologies for expression and purification of recombinant NAT protein, kinetic assays, biochemical and biophysical assays, and strategies for structural studies.